A tuber gets ready to go down a chute on the Comal River in New Braunfels Sunday July 30, 2006. New Braunfels police are cracking down on noise, volume drinking devices and Jell-O shots on the Comal River, the shorter of the two tubing rivers that run through this city about 30 miles northeast of San Antonio. The City Council has upped to $500 the maximum fine for violating a noise ordinance that says music from stereos shouldn't be heard more than 50 feet away. It also banned beer bongs and is considering more bans on evening noise and Jell-O shots. About 70 percent of the city's annual tourism revenue comes during the summer months, most from water recreation.
Sharon Steinmann/ Houston Chronicle less

A tuber gets ready to go down a chute on the Comal River in New Braunfels Sunday July 30, 2006. New Braunfels police are cracking down on noise, volume drinking devices and Jell-O shots on the Comal River, the ... more

Photo: Sharon Steinmann

A tuber gets ready to go down a chute on the Comal River in New... Photo-5137177.72319 - Houston Chronicle

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Natalie Jobe, left, and Kelly Ketter, both from Austin, rush through the City Tube Chute on the Comal River in New Braunfels on Friday. Despite less than average rainfall for several years and an increase in water consumption, water levels on the Comal River near New Braunfels have only dropped slightly over the past year. "Maybe a foot or so in some spots," said John Driscoll, a lifeguard on the river. Although the water level has dropped, people still flock to the popular destination in Comal County. "It's steady all week and then packed on the weekends," Discoll continued. Patrick Meredith for HOUSTON CHRONICLE 7/30/09 less

Natalie Jobe, left, and Kelly Ketter, both from Austin, rush through the City Tube Chute on the Comal River in New Braunfels on Friday. Despite less than average rainfall for several years and an increase in ... more

Tubers float through a chute on the Comal River in New Braunfels Sunday July 30, 2006. New Braunfels police are cracking down on noise, volume drinking devices and Jell-O shots on the Comal River, the shorter of the two tubing rivers that run through this city about 30 miles northeast of San Antonio. The City Council has upped to $500 the maximum fine for violating a noise ordinance that says music from stereos shouldn't be heard more than 50 feet away. It also banned beer bongs and is considering more bans on evening noise and Jell-O shots. About 70 percent of the city's annual tourism revenue comes during the summer months, most from water recreation.
Sharon Steinmann/ Houston Chronicle less

Tubers float through a chute on the Comal River in New Braunfels Sunday July 30, 2006. New Braunfels police are cracking down on noise, volume drinking devices and Jell-O shots on the Comal River, the shorter ... more

Photo: Sharon Steinmann, Staff

Tubers float through a chute on the Comal River in New Braunfels... Photo-5137188.72319 - Houston Chronicle

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Tubers on the Comal River in New Braunfels Sunday August 30, 2006. New Braunfels police are cracking down on noise, volume drinking devices and Jell-O shots on the Comal River, the shorter of the two tubing rivers that run through this city about 30 miles northeast of San Antonio. The City Council has upped to $500 the maximum fine for violating a noise ordinance that says music from stereos shouldn't be heard more than 50 feet away. It also banned beer bongs and is considering more bans on evening noise and Jell-O shots. About 70 percent of the city's annual tourism revenue comes during the summer months, most from water recreation.
Sharon Steinmann/ Houston Chronicle less

Tubers on the Comal River in New Braunfels Sunday August 30, 2006. New Braunfels police are cracking down on noise, volume drinking devices and Jell-O shots on the Comal River, the shorter of the two tubing ... more

Photo: Sharon Steinmann

Tubers on the Comal River in New Braunfels Sunday August 30, 2006.... Photo-5137189.72319 - Houston Chronicle

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Andrew Guevara and Ashley Moore splash into the stream as tubers float in the Guadalupe River near Sattler on September 2, 2013.

Andrew Guevara and Ashley Moore splash into the stream as tubers float in the Guadalupe River near Sattler on September 2, 2013.

Anthony Gomez leans back into the water to cool off as tubers float in the Guadalupe River near Sattler on September 2, 2013.

Anthony Gomez leans back into the water to cool off as tubers float in the Guadalupe River near Sattler on September 2, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

Anthony Gomez leans back into the water to cool off as tubers float... Photo-5137692.72319 - Houston Chronicle

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Guests to Guadalupe River State Park cool off in the river on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013. The shortage of water has had an effect on attendance since the park is forced to shut off water supplies and bathroom facilities to guests. Over the weekend, some of the camp sites do have running water lines but the bathrooms are still closed with only portable toilets available. The conditions have lowered attendance to the park as well as other area water attractions like the Bergheim Campground. Because of the low flow and lack of water on the river, Bergheim Campground has halted renting inner tubes, canoes and kayaks for the time being. less

Guests to Guadalupe River State Park cool off in the river on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013. The shortage of water has had an effect on attendance since the park is forced to shut off water supplies and bathroom ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Guests to Guadalupe River State Park cool off in the river on... Photo-5058137.72319 - Houston Chronicle

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Marty Robinson (left) of Houston and his friend Ryan Flynn from Fort Collins, Colorado take shade under a Cypress tree at Guadalupe River State Park on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013. When water levels are sufficient, both men would be in nearly waist-high water. Drought conditions have lowered attendance to the park as well as other area water attractions like the Bergheim Campground. Because of the low flow and lack of water on the river, Bergheim Campground has halted renting inner tubes, canoes and kayaks for the time being. less

Marty Robinson (left) of Houston and his friend Ryan Flynn from Fort Collins, Colorado take shade under a Cypress tree at Guadalupe River State Park on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013. When water levels are sufficient, ... more

Andrew Robinson, 6, from Houston wades across a section of the river at Guadalupe River State Park on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013. The shortage of water has had an effect on attendance since the park is forced to shut off water supplies and bathroom facilities to guests. Over the weekend, some of the camp sites do have running water lines but the bathrooms are still closed with only portable toilets available. The conditions have lowered attendance to the park as well as other area water attractions like the Bergheim Campground. Because of the low flow and lack of water on the river, Bergheim Campground has halted renting inner tubes, canoes and kayaks for the time being. less

Andrew Robinson, 6, from Houston wades across a section of the river at Guadalupe River State Park on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013. The shortage of water has had an effect on attendance since the park is forced to ... more

This tote and necklace, both designed by Michelle Karam, started as an inner tube like the ones seen on area rivers.

This tote and necklace, both designed by Michelle Karam, started as an inner tube like the ones seen on area rivers.

Photo: Helen L. Montoya, San Antonio Express-News

This tote and necklace, both designed by Michelle Karam, started... Photo-5004600.72319 - Houston Chronicle

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Rent Tubes at Josh's in Leakey: We admittedly haven’t done the research, but we’re guessing there are not a ton of places to go tubing in NYC. Swing by family-owned Josh’s Frio River Outfitter in Leakey and grab a tube for yourself, the kids, your dog and the beer cooler – they carry tubes for them all – and toss them in the back of your truck (you do drive a truck, right?).

Rent Tubes at Josh's in Leakey: We admittedly haven’t done the research, but we’re guessing there are not a ton of places to go tubing in NYC. Swing by family-owned Josh’s Frio River Outfitter in Leakey

Caytlin Holland, 24, and Justin Stanely, 30, both of San Antonio, leave the Comal River at Prince Solms Park in New Braunfels, Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Memorial Day weekend marks the start of tubing season on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers. less

Caytlin Holland, 24, and Justin Stanely, 30, both of San Antonio, leave the Comal River at Prince Solms Park in New Braunfels, Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Memorial Day weekend marks the start of tubing season on ... more

A tuber exits a chute on the Comal River by Prince Solms Park in New Braunfels, Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the tubing season on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers.

A tuber exits a chute on the Comal River by Prince Solms Park in New Braunfels, Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the tubing season on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

A tuber exits a chute on the Comal River by Prince Solms Park in... Photo-4690669.72319 - Houston Chronicle

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People lines up to get into the Comal River in New Braunfels, Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Memorial Day weekend marks the start of tubing season on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers.

People lines up to get into the Comal River in New Braunfels, Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Memorial Day weekend marks the start of tubing season on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

People lines up to get into the Comal River in New Braunfels,... Photo-4690671.72319 - Houston Chronicle

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Tubers float down the Comal River in New Braunfels, Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the tubing season on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers.

Tubers float down the Comal River in New Braunfels, Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the tubing season on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

Tubers float down the Comal River in New Braunfels, Sunday, May 26,... Photo-4690673.72319 - Houston Chronicle

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Tubers line up as they hit rapids on the Comal River in New Braunfels on Sunday. Heavy rains Saturday are creating more business for tube outfitters.

Tubers line up as they hit rapids on the Comal River in New Braunfels on Sunday. Heavy rains Saturday are creating more business for tube outfitters.

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

Tubers line up as they hit rapids on the Comal River in New... Photo-4690313.72319 - Houston Chronicle

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With a cloud of rain looming in the background, Crsytal Salts, 22, of Dallas exits the Comal River at Prince Solms Park in New Braunfels, Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Memorial Day weekend marks the start of tubing on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers. less

With a cloud of rain looming in the background, Crsytal Salts, 22, of Dallas exits the Comal River at Prince Solms Park in New Braunfels, Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Memorial Day weekend marks the start of tubing ... more

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

With a cloud of rain looming in the background, Crsytal Salts, 22,... Photo-4690318.72319 - Houston Chronicle

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Tubers exit the Comal River by Prince Solms Park in New Braunfels, Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the tubing season on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers.

Tubers exit the Comal River by Prince Solms Park in New Braunfels, Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the tubing season on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

Tubers exit the Comal River by Prince Solms Park in New Braunfels,... Photo-4690320.72319 - Houston Chronicle

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Jack Burns and his son Cameron Burns, 8, high five as they tube down the Comal River in New Braunfels on Monday Sept. 3, 2012.

Jack Burns and his son Cameron Burns, 8, high five as they tube down the Comal River in New Braunfels on Monday Sept. 3, 2012.

Photo: Helen L. Montoya, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Jack Burns and his son Cameron Burns, 8, high five as they tube... Photo-3407038.72319 - Houston Chronicle

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As tubers lazily float past, Neil Suntych offers to take photos as a memento on Friday, June 22, 2012. Suntych makes a business of taking pictures of people tubing along the Comal River in New Braunfels. Suntych has been shooting tubers for the past three years. Tubers can see the pictures that Suntych has taken online and have the option of buying prints or digital downloads. less

As tubers lazily float past, Neil Suntych offers to take photos as a memento on Friday, June 22, 2012. Suntych makes a business of taking pictures of people tubing along the Comal River in New Braunfels. ... more